If you need to replace missing teeth, you’re probably eager to get started on the road to recovery. Getting implant dentures is an excellent way to restore your beautiful smile, but the magic doesn’t happen overnight. Here’s a rough estimate of what the process will look like, and how long you can expect it to take for your new gorgeous new grin to be ready to share with the world!
Step One: The Treatment Plan
The first step on your journey to implant dentures is a consultation with your periodontist. There, he will review your medical history, and examine any remaining teeth and your gums. Your bone density will also be checked. If you require any procedures to help get your mouth in healthy condition to support your implants, this will be included in your treatment plan, along with your estimated total cost. At this time, you may begin scheduling any preliminary treatment.
Step Two: Preliminary Treatment
If you need any preliminary treatment such as extractions, gum disease therapy, or bone grafting this is the stage to get it done.
After your mouth has healed from preliminary treatment or if you didn’t need this step, your periodontist will schedule your dental implant procedure. This is where the titanium posts that hold your denture in place are attached to your jawbone. Once this is done, you’ll need to allow your jaw to heal for several months before it is ready to support your new prosthetic.
Step Three: Impressions
Now that your mouth is healed, it’s time to make a good impression, or impressions, that is! Your periodontist will need to make a model of your mouth so that your implant dentures fit perfectly and feel comfortable. Thankfully, gone are the days of that uncomfortable dental putty. Your periodontist now uses a device called an intraoral scanner to make an impression of your mouth. This is faster, cleaner, and a lot more comfortable than other methods!
Step Four: Intermediate Details
Once your impressions are made, your prosthetic will be sent off to the lab. You will need to return to your periodontist’s office for a fit check before it is completed. Once you give the green light, your finalized denture will be made!
Step 5: Placement of Your Implant Dentures
When your new implant denture is ready, you will once again return to the periodontist to have it placed. This procedure is much more comfortable than having your dental implants placed, but still may be a little painful, as incisions will need to be made to attach the abutments to the posts to support the dentures. Once your dentures are attached, you can head home to heal from the procedure. Be sure to take it slowly with a soft diet first and follow your periodontist’s aftercare instructions to ensure a safe recovery. Your mouth should be feeling much better in a few weeks, and you’ll finally be ready to share your new smile with the world!
Remember, while its understandable to want to start showcasing that gorgeous new grin with the world, the process of getting implant dentures takes a little patience to complete. Thankfully, it’s well worth the time, and will likely be one of the best things you’ll ever do for your smile!
About Dr. Garcia
Dr. Marcos E. Garcia grew up learning about the importance of oral health because he was raised by a family of dentists! It was that early knowledge that helped Dr. Garcia decide that he too wanted to help others protect their beautiful smiles.
Today, Dr. Garcia is a member of numerous periodontal organizations, including the American Academy of Periodontology, Academy of Laser Dentistry, Southwest Society of Periodontists, Texas Society of Periodontics, Texas Dental Association, Nueces Valley District Dental Society, and the American Dental Association.
If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of implant dentures, please schedule an appointment at South Texas Periodontics & Implants by visiting our website or calling us at 361-992-7641.